Strong African American Families
Strong African American Families (SAAF) is a 7-session, group-based parenting program designed for families with youth ages 10–14. SAAF aims to build on the strengths of African American families to prevent substance use and other risky behaviors. The program focuses on strengthening parental monitoring and involvement, improving communication about sex and substance use, and providing positive racial socialization. SAAF promotes youth goal-setting and attainment, resistance of risky behaviors, and acceptance of parental influences. Each 2-hour session has two parts. In the first hour, youth and caregivers meet in separate groups for activities, discussion, and skill-building. In the second hour, youth and caregivers come back together for activities with their family and the larger group.
SAAF is rated as a well-supported practice because at least two studies with non-overlapping samples carried out in usual care or practice settings achieved a rating of moderate or high on design and execution and demonstrated favorable effects in a target outcome domain. At least one of the studies demonstrated a sustained favorable effect of at least 12 months beyond the end of treatment on at least one target outcome.
Date Research Evidence Last Reviewed: Sep 2022
Sources
The program or service description, target population, and program or service delivery and implementation information were informed by the following sources: the program or service manual, the program or service developer’s website, and the studies reviewed.
This information does not necessarily represent the views of the program or service developers. For more information on how this program or service was reviewed, visit the Review Process page or download the Handbook.
Target Population
SAAF is designed to serve families with youth ages 10–14 who identify as being African American or Black.
Dosage
SAAF is delivered over seven weekly 2-hour group sessions. Sessions typically consist of groups of 6–8 families, and up to a maximum of 12 families.
Location/Delivery Setting
Recommended Locations/Delivery Settings
SAAF is delivered in community settings.
Location/Delivery Settings Observed in the Research
- Community Center (e.g., religious or recreational facility)
Education, Certifications and Training
SAAF is delivered by certified SAAF facilitators. Sites implementing SAAF are required to have at least five certified facilitators. Each session is intended to be led by a team of three certified facilitators. In the first hour of the program, two facilitators lead the youth-only content while the third facilitator leads the caregiver-only content. In the second hour of the program, all three facilitators work together to implement the family content. To become certified as a SAAF facilitator, individuals must complete a 3-day “training of facilitators” led by a certified agency trainer.
To become certified as an agency trainer, certified SAAF facilitators must (1) complete an additional “training of trainer” training; (2) implement the full SAAF program at least two times as a parent or caregiver facilitator and at least two times as a youth facilitator; and (3) submit videos of session implementation, self-evaluation forms, and fidelity observation forms for select sessions.
Program or Service Documentation
Book/Manual/Available documentation used for review
Molgaard, V. K., Gerrard, M., & Gibbons, F. X. (2016). Strong African American Families Program. Center for Family Research, University of Georgia.
Available languages
SAAF materials are available in English.
Other supporting materials
Strong African American Families. (2021). SAAF site resource manual. Center for Family Research, University of Georgia.
For More Information
Website: https://cfr.uga.edu/saaf-programs/saaf/
Phone: (706) 425-2992
Contact Form: https://cfr.uga.edu/contact-us/
Note: The details on Dosage; Location; Education, Certifications, and Training; Other Supporting Materials; and For More Information sections above are provided to website users for informational purposes only. This information is not exhaustive and may be subject to change.
| Results of Search and Review | Number of Studies Identified and Reviewed for Strong African American Families |
|---|---|
| Identified in Search | 3 |
| Eligible for Review | 3 |
| Rated High | 1 |
| Rated Moderate | 2 |
| Rated Low | 0 |
| Reviewed Only for Risk of Harm | 0 |
| Outcome | Effect Size
 and Implied Percentile Effect
|
N of Studies (Findings) | N of Participants | Summary of Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child well-being: Behavioral and emotional functioning |
0.31
12 |
2 (8) | 1267 |
Favorable:
4 No Effect: 4 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Child well-being: Social functioning |
0.21
8 |
2 (2) | 736 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 2 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Child well-being: Physical development and health |
0.01
0 |
1 (1) | 284 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 1 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Child well-being: Substance use |
0.14
5 |
2 (4) | 516 |
Favorable:
3 No Effect: 1 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Adult well-being: Positive parenting practices |
0.26
10 |
2 (14) | 785 |
Favorable:
8 No Effect: 6 Unfavorable: 0 |
| Adult well-being: Family functioning |
0.10
3 |
1 (2) | 320 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 2 Unfavorable: 0 |
Note: For the effect sizes and implied percentile effects reported in the table, a positive number favors the intervention group and a negative number favors the comparison group. Effect sizes for some outcomes were not able to be calculated by the Prevention Services Clearinghouse.
| Outcome | Effect Size
and Implied Percentile Effect
|
N of Studies (Findings) | N of Participants | Summary of Findings |
Months after treatment when outcome measured
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child well-being: Behavioral and emotional functioning |
0.31
12 |
2 (8) | 1267 |
Favorable:
4 No Effect: 4 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Brody, 2004) | |||||
| Goal-Directed Future Orientation |
0.36
*
14 |
- | 320 | - | 3 |
| Resistance Efficacy |
0.20
8 |
- | 320 | - | 3 |
| Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Brody, 2005) | |||||
| Children’s Self-Control Scale: Self-Control |
0.04
1 |
- | 320 | - | 3 |
| Children’s Self-Control Scale: Lack of Self-Control |
0.18
7 |
- | 320 | - | 3 |
| Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control Group (QED) (Brody, 2008) | |||||
| National Youth Survey: Conduct Problems |
0.43
*
16 |
- | 482 | - | 25 |
| Study 14224 - Strong African American Families (SAAF) Program vs. Waitlist Control Group (Kogan, 2016) | |||||
| Tolerance of Deviance Scale |
0.32
*
12 |
- | 416 | - | 3 |
| Intervention-Targeted Self-Regulatory Processes |
0.22
*
8 |
- | 465 | - | 3 |
| Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Murry, 2005) | |||||
| Sexual Self-Concept Inventory: Positive Body Image |
0.12
4 |
- | 320 | - | 3 |
| Child well-being: Social functioning |
0.21
8 |
2 (2) | 736 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 2 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 14224 - Strong African American Families (SAAF) Program vs. Waitlist Control Group (Kogan, 2016) | |||||
| Peer Behavior |
0.17
6 |
- | 416 | - | 3 |
| Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Murry, 2005) | |||||
| Sexual Self-Concept Inventory: Sexual Social Comparison |
0.26
10 |
- | 320 | - | 3 |
| Child well-being: Physical development and health |
0.01
0 |
1 (1) | 284 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 1 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Murry, 2007) | |||||
| Sexual Risk Behavior |
0.01
0 |
- | 284 | - | 25 |
| Child well-being: Substance use |
0.14
5 |
2 (4) | 516 |
Favorable:
3 No Effect: 1 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Brody, 2006a) | |||||
| Alcohol Use Initiation |
0.72
*
26 |
- | 305 | - | 3 |
| Alcohol Use Initiation |
0.51
*
19 |
- | 305 | - | 25 |
| Alcohol Composite Index |
0.28
*
11 |
- | 305 | - | 25 |
| Study 14369 - Strong African American Families (SAAF) vs. No-Treatment Control (Kogan, 2019 - Not conducted in a usual care or practice setting) | |||||
| Alcohol Use (Frequency in Past 3 Months) |
-0.10
-4 |
- | 211 | - | 8 |
| Adult well-being: Positive parenting practices |
0.26
10 |
2 (14) | 785 |
Favorable:
8 No Effect: 6 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Brody, 2004) | |||||
| Expectations for Alcohol Use |
0.70
*
25 |
- | 320 | - | 3 |
| Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Brody, 2006b) | |||||
| Racial Socialization Scale (Youth Report) |
0.20
8 |
- | 320 | - | 3 |
| Nurturant–Involved Parenting (Youth Report) |
0.08
3 |
- | 320 | - | 3 |
| Consistent Rules |
0.47
*
17 |
- | 320 | - | 3 |
| Youths' Parenting Assessments |
Favorable
*
not calculated |
- | 320 | - | 3 |
| Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Gerrard, 2006) | |||||
| Nurturant–Involved Parenting (Parent Report) |
0.20
8 |
- | 281 | - | 3 |
| Parental Monitoring |
0.12
4 |
- | 281 | - | 3 |
| Clear Expectations About Alcohol |
0.17
6 |
- | 281 | - | 3 |
| Intervention-Targeted Parenting Behaviors |
0.31
*
11 |
- | 281 | - | 3 |
| Study 14224 - Strong African American Families (SAAF) Program vs. Waitlist Control Group (Kogan, 2016) | |||||
| Intervention-Targeted Parenting |
0.22
*
8 |
- | 465 | - | 3 |
| Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Murry, 2005) | |||||
| Involved, Nurturant Parenting |
0.19
7 |
- | 320 | - | 3 |
| Racial Socialization Scale (Parent Report) |
0.38
*
14 |
- | 320 | - | 3 |
| Parental Communication About Sex Scale |
0.42
*
16 |
- | 320 | - | 3 |
| Expectations About Alcohol and Other Drugs |
0.49
*
18 |
- | 320 | - | 3 |
| Adult well-being: Family functioning |
0.10
3 |
1 (2) | 320 |
Favorable:
0 No Effect: 2 Unfavorable: 0 |
- |
| Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Brody, 2005) | |||||
| Interaction Behavior Questionnaire |
0.15
6 |
- | 320 | - | 3 |
| Carver Social Support Scales: Parental Support |
0.05
1 |
- | 320 | - | 3 |
*p <.05
Note: For the effect sizes and implied percentile effects reported in the table, a positive number favors the intervention group and a negative number favors the comparison group. Effect sizes and implied percentile effects were calculated by the Prevention Services Clearinghouse as described in the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Section 5.10.4 and may not align with effect sizes reported in individual publications. Effect sizes for some outcomes were not able to be calculated by the Prevention Services Clearinghouse.
Only publications with eligible contrasts that met design and execution standards are included in the individual study findings table.
Full citations for the studies shown in the table are available in the "Studies Reviewed" section.
The participant characteristics display is an initial version. We encourage those interested in providing feedback to send suggestions to preventionservices@abtassoc.com.
The table below displays locations, the year, and participant demographics for studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution and that reported the information. Participant characteristics for studies with more than one intervention versus comparison group pair that received moderate or high ratings are shown separately in the table. Please note, the information presented here uses terminology directly from the study documents, when available. Studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution that did not include relevant participant demographic information would not be represented in this table.
For more information on how Clearinghouse reviewers record the information in the table, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings.
| Characteristics of the Participants in the Studies with Moderate or High Ratings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Study Location
|
Study Year
|
Age or Grade-level
|
Race, Ethnicity, Nationality
|
Gender
|
Populations of Interest*
|
Household Socioeconomic Status
|
| Study 14224 - Strong African American Families (SAAF) Program vs. Waitlist Control Group | ||||||
| Characteristics of the Children and Youth | ||||||
| Georgia, USA | -- | Age range: 11-12 years | 100% African American | -- | -- | -- |
| Characteristics of the Adults, Parents, or Caregivers | ||||||
| Georgia, USA | -- | -- | 100% African American | -- | -- | 63% Lived below federal poverty standards |
| Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) | ||||||
| Characteristics of the Children and Youth | ||||||
| Georgia, USA | -- | 100% 11 years old | 100% African American | 54% Target youth was a girl | -- | -- |
| Characteristics of the Adults, Parents, or Caregivers | ||||||
| Georgia, USA | -- | Average age of mothers: 38 years; Average age of fathers: 39 years | 100% African American | -- | -- |
$1,655 Monthly median household income $472 Monthly per capita income 46% Below federal poverty standard 71% Employed outside the home 22% Unemployed 4% Employed inside the home 3% Employed both inside and outside the home |
| Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control Group (QED) | ||||||
| Characteristics of the Children and Youth | ||||||
| Georgia, USA | -- | 100% 11 years old | 100% African American | -- | -- | -- |
| Characteristics of the Adults, Parents, or Caregivers | ||||||
| Georgia, USA | -- | Average age of mothers: 37 years | 100% African American | -- | -- | $514 Monthly per capita income |
| Study 14369 - Strong African American Families (SAAF) vs. No-Treatment Control | ||||||
| Characteristics of the Children and Youth | ||||||
| Georgia, USA | 2013 | Average age: 12; Age range: 11-12 years; Grade: 5th | 100% African American | 51% Target child was a girl | -- | -- |
| Characteristics of the Adults, Parents, or Caregivers | ||||||
| Georgia, USA | 2013 | Average age of caregivers: 37 years | 100% African American | -- | 94% Primary caregivers were youth's biological mother or grandmother; 3% Primary caregivers were youth's biological father | 64% Family income below the federal poverty threshold |
“--” indicates information not reported in the study.
* The information about disabilities is based on initial coding. For more information on how the Clearinghouse recorded disability information for the initial release, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings. The Clearinghouse is currently seeking consultation from experts, including those with lived experience, and input from the public to enhance and improve the display.
Note: Citations for the documents associated with each 5-digit study number shown in the table can be found in the “Studies Reviewed” section below. Study settings and participant demographics are recorded for all studies that received moderate or high ratings on design and execution and that reported the information. Studies that did not report any information about setting or participant demographics are not displayed. For more information on how participant characteristics are recorded, please see our Resource Guide on Study Participant Characteristics and Settings.
Studies Rated High
Study 14224Kogan, S. M., Lei, M.-K., Brody, G. H., Futris, T. G., Sperr, M., & Anderson, T. (2016). Implementing family-centered prevention in rural African American communities: A randomized effectiveness trial of the Strong African American Families Program. Prevention Science, 17(2), 248-258. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-015-0614-3
This study was conducted in a usual care or practice setting (Handbook Section 6.2.2)Studies Rated Moderate
Study 14369Kogan, S. M., Bae, D., Lei, M. K., & Brody, G. H. (2019). Family-centered alcohol use prevention for African American adolescents: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 87(12), 1085-1092. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000448
Some contrasts that received a moderate or high design and execution rating in this study were not from research conducted in a usual care or practice setting (Handbook Section 6.2.2) [see Individual Study Findings section above for additional information on contrasts that did or did not meet this criterion]Study 14223
Brody, G. H., Murry, V. M., Gerrard, M., Gibbons, F. X., Molgaard, V., McNair, L., Brown, A. C., Wills, T. A., Spoth, R. L., Luo, Z. Chen, Y.-f., & Neubaum-Carlan, E. (2004). The Strong African American Families Program: Translating research into prevention programming. Child Development, 75(3), 900-917. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2004.00713.x
Brody, G. H., Murry, V. M., Kogan, S. M., Gerrard, M., Gibbons, F. X., Molgaard, V., Brown, A. C., Anderson, T., Chen, Y.-f., Luo, Z., & Wills, T. A. (2006a). The Strong African American Families Program: A cluster-randomized prevention trial of long-term effects and a mediational model. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72(2), 356-366. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006x.74.2.356
Brody, G. H., Murry, V. M., Gerrard, M., Gibbons, F. X., McNair, L., Brown, A. C., Wills, T. A., Molgaard, V., Spoth, R. L., Luo, Z., & Chen, Y.-f. (2006b). The Strong African American Families Program: Prevention of youths' high-risk behavior and a test of a model of change. Journal of Family Psychology, 20(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.20.1.1
Beach, S. R. H., Kogan, S. M., Brody, G. H., Chen, Y.-f., Lei, M.-K., & Murry, V. M. (2008). Change in caregiver depression as a function of the Strong African American Families Program. Journal of Family Psychology, 22(2), 241-252. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.22.2.241
Brody, G. H., Kogan, S. M., Chen, Y.-f., & Murry, V. M. (2008). Long-term effects of the Strong African American Families Program on youths' conduct problems. Journal of Adolescent Health, 43(5), 474-481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.04.016
Murry, V. M., McNair, L. D., Myers, S. S., Chen, Y.-f., & Brody, G. H. (2014). Intervention induced changes in perceptions of parenting and risk opportunities among rural African American. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 23(2), 422-436. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-013-9714-5
Brody, G. H., Yu, T., Chen, E., Beach, S. R., & Miller, G. E. (2016). Family-centered prevention ameliorates the longitudinal association between risky family processes and epigenetic aging. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 57(5), 566-574. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12495
Brody, G. H., McBride Murry, V., McNair, L., Chen, Y.-f., Gibbons, F. X., Gerrard, M., & Ashby Wills, T. (2005). Linking changes in parenting to parent-child relationship quality and youth self-control: The Strong African American Families Program. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 15(1), 47-69. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1111/j.1532-7795.2005.00086.x
Gerrard, M., Gibbons, F. X., Brody, G. H., Murry, V. M., Cleveland, M. J., & Wills, T. A. (2006). A theory-based dual-focus alcohol intervention for preadolescents: The Strong African American Families Program. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 20(2), 185-195. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-164X.20.2.185
Murry, V. M., Berkel, C., Brody, G. H., Gibbons, M., & Gibbons, F. X. (2007). The Strong African American Families Program: Longitudinal pathways to sexual risk reduction. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41(4), 333-342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.04.003
Murry, V. M., Berkel, C., Chen, Y.-f., Brody, G. H., Gibbons, F. X., & Gerrard, M. (2011). Intervention induced changes on parenting practices, youth self-pride and sexual norms to reduce HIV-related behaviors among rural African American youths. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 40(9), 1147-1163. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-011-9642-x
Murry, V. M., Brody, G. H., McNair, L. D., Luo, Z., Gibbons, F. X., Gerrard, M., & Wills, T. A. (2005). Parental involvement promotes rural African American youths' self-pride and sexual self-concepts. Journal of Marriage and Family, 67(3), 627-642. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2005.00158.x
Wills, T. A., Murry, V. M., Brody, G. H., Gibbons, F. X., Gerrard, M., Walker, C., & Ainette, M. G. (2007). Ethnic pride and self-control related to protective and risk factors: Test of the theoretical model for the Strong African American Families Program. Health Psychology, 26(1), 50-59. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.26.1.50
This study was conducted in a usual care or practice setting (Handbook Section 6.2.2)